Clive McMahon

Research interests

Clive is research scientist primarily interested in the population and behavioural ecology of large vertebrates and has focused his research on the demographic responses of wide-ranging marine animals (e.g. seals and turtles.) to changes in climate. Clive has been especially interested in how marine predator populations respond demographically (changes in survival, fecundity and numbers) to changing climatic conditions by using natural variations in climate such as ENSO as proxies for broader climate change predictions. In addition to this he is also interested in quantifying and documenting the distribution of animals in response to changes in global temperatures to contribute to the conservation of pan oceanic predators such a leatherback turtles. Clive is currently investing the population dynamics of a common invasive bovid – the Asian swamp buffalo, in the Northern Territory. This works aims to provide mangers and researchers with vital life-history information to mange the damage caused by buffalo in Northern Australia and to provide insights into effective management and density reduction to limit the possible spread of exotic diseases introduced into Australia.

A key issue when studying wild animals is the concern that people feel for the animals and the welfare of those research animals. Clive is very interested in assessing and defining the ethics of acceptable practise and the welfare of animals when capturing and researching wild animals. This is a fertile and emerging area of study especially given that ecosystems and wild animal populations are under ever increasing pressures and perturbations by humans and many require intensive and urgent study.